Have you noticed? Cleveland is hot.
From innovative restaurants to historic areas and lively entertainment, the city is a great destination for people of all ages.
This summer will be especially busy as thousands arrive for the Republican National Convention in July.
Make some time to enjoy the city’s charm on your own or with visiting family and friends.
Destination Cleveland offers the following two-day itinerary to get you on your way.
Sure, a day or so isn’t much time, but it’s a good way to start. Enjoy.
DAY 1
8a.m.
BREAKFAST
THE WEST SIDE MARKET
1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-664-3387, westsidemarket.org
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Built in 1912, the West Side Market is one of the largest indoor/outdoor markets in the country. This marketplace was once where turn-of-the-century immigrants found their native foods and spices.
9a.m.
RIDE
LOLLY THE TROLLEY
(Year-round; schedule changes by season)
1790 Columbus Road, Cleveland, 216-771-4484, lollytrolley.com
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This nationally recognized city sightseeing tour is a great way to tour the heart of the city. The 38-passenger streetcars cover more than 20 miles and 100 points of interest with facts and fun through narrated sightseeing tours. Specialty tours showcasing holiday lights, the stomping grounds of Eliot Ness, Lake View Cemetery and Little Italy also are offered throughout the year.
noon
LUNCH
GREAT LAKES BREWING COMPANY
2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com
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Great Lakes Brewing Company, composed of a brewery and brewpub, was the first microbrewery in the state of Ohio. The brewery has strong ties to the local community and showcases this commitment by naming its beers after local historical events, people and places. At the brewpub, guests of all ages can enjoy a memorable dining experience from start to finish, including its famous brats and pierogis.
2:00p.m.
TOUR
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
1100 East 9th St., Cleveland, 216-781-7625, rockhall.com
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The greatest stories and biggest names in rock ’n’ roll shine on at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum — which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015. The experience includes four theaters, multiple interactive stations and seven floors that tell the story of the world’s most powerful art form. Pay homage to rock icons and see video, artifacts, memorabilia and other cool one-of-a-kind stuff on display.
4:00p.m.
RETURN TO
WESTIN CLEVELAND HOTEL FOR DOWNTIME
777 St. Clair Ave. NE, Cleveland, 216-771-7700, westincleveland.com
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The Westin Cleveland Downtown’s $64 million renovation was completed in May 2014. The contemporary 484-room hotel is located in Cleveland’s financial district and steps from the FirstMerit Convention Center of Cleveland and Global Center for Health Innovation. The farm-to-table restaurant, Urban Farmer, serves local and organically sourced food from the region.
6:00p.m.
THE GREENHOUSE TAVERN
2038 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-443-0511, thegreenhousetavern.com
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James Beard Foundation award-winning chef and Cleveland native Jonathon Sawyer believes the proximity of the farm to the restaurant directly correlates with the quality of food — a philosophy that he follows at his flagship restaurant, The Greenhouse Tavern. Visitors should be sure to try the crispy chicken wings confit with roasted jalapeño, lemon juice, scallion wand garlic.
7:30
PERFORMANCE
PLAYHOUSE SQUARE
1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-4444, playhousesquare.org
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Playhouse Square is the largest performing arts center in the country outside of New York. The five beautifully restored historic theaters and four newer performance spaces are home to the KeyBank Broadway Series, concerts, comedy shows, Cleveland Play House, Cleveland State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Great Lakes Theater company and Tri-C JazzFest.
DAY 2
8:30a.m.
BREAKFAST
AT URBAN FARMER CLEVELAND
1325 E. Sixth St., Cleveland, 216-771-7707, urbanfarmercleveland.com
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With pride in craftsmanship, respect for Midwest food traditions and local, organic sourcing, Urban Farmer redefines the modern Cleveland steakhouse. The chefs build personal relationships with local farms, ranches and fisheries, bringing a taste of their dedication to the table.
10:30a.m.
TOUR
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org
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The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the important artistic institutions in the U.S. and one of a few to offer free admission to its permanent collections. Yes, Renoir, Monet and Dali are free. The Cleveland Museum of Art has undergone a massive, multi-year $350 million expansion and renovation of the facility, resulting in exciting and innovative advancements in the visitor experience.
1:00p.m.
LUNCH
AT HAPPY DOG AT THE EUCLID TAVERN
11625 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-5400, happydogcleveland.com
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The Happy Dog is a true Cleveland treasure. Sit back and enjoy a beer from the massive selection at this ultra-retro, old-fashioned bar. Live music offered various nights throughout the week — including the kitsch “Polka Happy Hour” — makes this a desirable destination. You can sink your teeth into a gourmet hot dog from a menu of more than 50 toppings, created by a 2010 James Beard Foundation award semifinalist chef Eric William, such as a sunny-side up fried egg and pimento mac and cheese.
2:30p.m.
WALK
LAKE VIEW CEMETERY
12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-421-2665, lakeviewcemetery.com
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Just outside of the city in a metropolitan neighborhood sits the 285-acre Lakeview Cemetery. It may seem a little strange to recommend a cem-
etery as a great spot for visitors, but this isn’t just any cemetery. Lake View Cemetery is an outdoor sculpture museum filled with gardens, rich m architecture and tributes to those who made great contributions to the area’s industrial and civic development. A great destination, the garden cemetery provides a skyline view of Cleveland, plus the burial sites of James A. Garfield, James D. Rockefeller, Eliot Ness, 22 Cleveland mayors and more.
